One of my first experiences in the game

[davidklaw 6]

I'd read plenty about DayZ on kotaku and have actually had ARMA for quite some time after a brief 5 minute stint in Cheranus some time back but this past week I spent a significant amount of time on the ground. This turned out pretty wordy so I'll follow up with my other early experiences. I've dealt with my fair share of hackers thus far but by in large I've come across a number of awesome friendlies that really make the game.

First real experience playing

Spawned near Balota and accidentally found my way to the airfield. Hadn't seen a player yet but as I approached a helicopter landed, searched the tower and quickly took off again. I snuck around back, slowly, and discovered a dead player that I looted for my first set of equipment.

Without a clue I headed North. Using an online map and landmarks like city streets, city signs, power lines and such, made my way Pustoshka. Besides the helicopter I hadn't seen another player for hours but as I searched the town grocer I took one shot and dropped from point blank range.

My next spawn was further west, but this is where the game gets interesting. As I'm running along the coast line I spot a swimmer and with nothing to lose I didn't see any harm in confronting him. I shouted to him (direct communication) and he replied via text, "Zombie after me". However this zombie was simply treading water. I assured him it was safe and we joined forces, heading further east down the coast. His name was "Willy".

Somewhere along the way we ended up in a tri-level, investigating a body and looking for something, anything. Out of nowhere a bandit emerged. He didn't pose a threat and was simply looking for a way out (of this world) so with no weapons I offered a suggestion - jump from second story. He did and we had a brief laugh over DC before he let out his last breath.

Moments later it seems a voice comes over DC - it's "stealth" - and he's friendly. We spend quite a bit of time surveying each other before a 3rd bambi appears, "Jordan". A few more minutes of intense stare-downs and our group of four was off, only this time towards Balota.

We took the long way around, careful in our approach. This was also necessary because the only weapon in our group was stealth's and it was a pistol. We cautiously approached the tower only to find 3 bodies. Willy and Jordan came out of their hiding places and the four of us had a field day gearing up and searching the remaining hangars.

It's at this point that the darkness started to roll in. Even with my gamma and brightness settings jacked up it was near impossible to see much but stealth and I scrambled for the medical tents and in the process lost sight of both Willy and Jordan. We ended up with some decent assault rifles and made our escape to some nearby bushes to take inventory, get contacts and disconnect when all of a sudden... "Ethan" pops up in DC. Startled we ask, "Friendly?". He was, and offered help but since we didn't need any we just conversed for a little while before we heard another player...

With streaks of light swinging every which way about him, "Jordan", after nearly an hour, reappears. We call out to him on DC, "Put down the flashlight" and in response he shines it in our face. "Im lost" he says. No shit man, no shit.

[DemonGroover 8836]

Funny how small experiences like this can really make the game for you.

[pmjkerr 76]

Awesome write up. Would read again.

[dcraigie@deloitte.co.uk 3]

Good read